Senior Petroleum Specialist (EMNRD #10117452)

Posting Details

This position can be based in any of the Division's five locations: Albuquerque, Artesia, Aztec, Hobbs, Santa Fe.

The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico.  The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.

This position is part of the Division's Engineering Bureau, which is responsible for technical review and oversight of oil and gas permits, including administrative orders and exception requests, to ensure compliance with the state's oil and gas statutes and to prevent waste. The Engineering Bureau also manages programs related to Underground Injection Control, oversees technical aspects of the Administrative Permitting Program, Assist the OCD in managing the OCDs (SRA) Seismic Risk Areas, and evaluates engineering plans and reports to ensure operator safety and environmental protection.

As a valued new employee to EMNRD, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.

Why does the job exist?

This Senior Petroleum Specialist primarily will assist in conducting the work of the projects program of the Oil Conservation Division's Engineering Bureau to ensure that the Division's goals and objectives are met.  This position assists the Projects program of the Oil Conservation Division's (OCD) Engineering Bureau to ensure OCD goals and objectives are met.  This position primarily will assist in conducting the work of the projects program. This position primarily will:
* Design and develop programs to address new technical issues as they arise 
* As technical advances in the oil and gas industry are implemented; approve, amend, or reject various administrative permit applications pursuant to the NM Oil and Gas Act
* Act as a technical hearing examiner and prepare orders; and
* Write memos and conduct meetings and process applications
* Provide support to the Administrative Compliance group and Underground Injection Control (UIC) group especially with regard to data analysis and compliance follow up
* Participate in rulemaking as needed including assistance in rule implementation, adjustments in SOPs to adhere and/or helping with new technological solutions      

This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.

How does it get done?

1. Effectively develop, implement, and administer the UIC program according to Federal law, NM's primacy agreement with the EPA, and the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules.
2. Conduct the work of the UIC program.
3. Review and analyze proposed legislation that may have a procedural or financial impact on the division and present testimony before legislative sub-committees, when necessary.
4. Help design and develop programs within the UIC program that will address new technical issues as they arise and as technical advances in the oil and gas industry as implemented.
5.  Approve, amend, or reject UIC permit applications pursuant to Federal law, NM's primacy agreement with the EPA, and the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules.
6. Assist the OCD in managing the OCDs (SRA) Seismic Risk Areas. Catalog, track and suggest actions to OCD management. Work with professional seismic contractors to determine any actions or modifications to current (SRAs).
7. Help effectively develop, implement, and administer the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules and the OCD¿s strategies, programs, goals, policies and initiatives.
8. Conduct the work of the administrative permitting program including non-standard locations, compulsory pooling, Applications for Permits to Drill, and surface and down-hole co-mingling.
9. Approve, amend, or reject various administrative permit applications pursuant to the NM Oil and Gas Act.
10. Act as an alternate hearing examiner and schedule hearing examiner rotation within the administrative permitting program.
11. Review and analyze proposed legislation that may have a procedural or financial impact on the division and present testimony before legislative sub-committees, when necessary.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Who are the customers?

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands regulatory oversight and the oil and gas industry. The candidate should have expertise in the principles of regulatory reviews and engineering principles and is passionate about helping the state identify and implement oil and gas regulations in an effort to protect human health, the environment, and the proper utilization of New Mexico resources during oil and gas operations.

The ideal candidate should have:
- Degree in engineering or similar.
- Experience in the oil and gas industry.
- Regulatory Experience.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Mechanical, Civil, or Geological Engineering and four (4) years of experience in a government regulatory role including oil field experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must have a valid and maintain a current Driver's License and obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required. Some field/facility site inspections required.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Justin Wrinkle, (505) 670-0802, Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Salary : $81,349 - $130,159